Some Hoboken residents used their
kayaks and other boats to move around the west side of the city before the flood waters receded.

Hoboken resident, Josh Ayotte, 32, who
lives at First and Bloomfield streets, took his kayak out Tuesday
morning and paddled from Second and Garden streets to 10th
and Willow Avenue without having to get out to carry his boat.

“Cars were completely submerged –
It was insane,” Ayotte said.

Ayotte also found himself on CNN when
the news channel broadcast him stopping to help an elderly woman push
a car out of the water on Adams Street, Ayotte said. A friend told him later that he had attracted the media attention, he said.

“I stopped to help a woman to push
her car out of the lagoon,” Ayotte said who had fly-fishing waders
on as he stepped into the contaminated water. “It was disgusting. I
didn't want to go in there but I wanted to make sure she was OK.”

Ayotte, a financial recruiter who says
that his clients -- Manhattan banks -- are closed, so he is using his free time to volunteer at the shelter at Hudson and
Fourth streets.

“Sitting at home isn't at home isn't
going to do any good,” Ayotte said.